Liam Rosenior confident he has ‘100 per cent’ backing from Chelsea owners
Chelsea Football Newsletter
Chelsea will give Joao Pedro a late fitness test tonight to assess if the striker can face Brighton.
Joao Pedro joined from the Seagulls last summer for up to £60million and has scored 19 goals in all competitions, but missed the Manchester United game last time out with a thigh issue.
The striker was able to return to training on Monday and a “late call” on Tuesday will determine whether he can face his former team, according to head coach Liam Rosenior.
Estevao, meanwhile, is definitely going to miss the game with the hamstring injury that forced him off during the first half of the 1-0 loss to Man United.
Further tests are due to determine the severity of his injury.
Enzo Fernandez was subbed off late on during Saturday’s game but it was just cramp and he is fine for the Brighton match.
Chelsea will be without five senior players against Brighton, including Estevao
Reece James remains out with a hamstring injury, while Levi Colwill, Jamie Gittens and goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen are also sidelined.
Trevoh Chalobah was on the bench against Man Utd and came on as a late substitute. He could make his first start since an ankle injury at the Amex.
Moises Caicedo could again captain the team, with James out. Striker Liam Delap is likely to drop to the bench if Joao Pedro returns.
Youngster Jesse Derry trained with the first team on Monday. That means it is possible he is named in the Blues’ matchday squad.
Chelsea predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Santos, Caicedo; Palmer, Fernandez, Neto; Joao Pedro
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Doubt: Joao Pedro
Injured: James, Estevao, Colwill, Jorgensen, Gittens
Time and date: 8pm BST on Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Venue: Amex Stadium
How to watch: Sky Sports